Introducing...Tree

The PSEUDO Network is compiled of brilliant, inspiring, unique individuals across the globe. It's our pleasure to introduce some of them to you, and share their opinions on brands, marketing and life in 2019 and beyond.

SO: Sasha Owen
TJ: Tree Jacobson

SO: Hi, will you please introduce yourself?
TJ: Tree Jacobson - Owner of Happy Little Tree Photography

SO: What are you doing at the moment?
TJ: Working Full Time photographing children, but in the next week I will start the humongous and slightly scary task of homeschooling my son.

SO: Where are you living and who with?
TJ: I live in Omaha, Nebraska in the part of town my pastor likes to call "Lily White" Millard with my husband Steve, the rock god, my son Flynn, the mutant and my daughter Emily who only comes home to do her laundry.

SO: How old are you?
TJ: One year younger than I use to be.

SO: Where are you right now, and what were you doing before we interrupted you?
TJ: Stewing in my living room, avoiding cleaning.

SO: What is the main thing brands seem to get wrong when marketing or advertising to people your age?
TJ: At the moment it seems a lot of branding is going for a more youthful, updated, "hipster" vibe and are all using the same fonts, colors and icons. I understand with our global reach of Etsy stores and buying prefab logos that makes life easier but I do love to see something original!

SO: Are there any other clichés and stereotypes you'd like brands to stop using when they talk to you?
TJ: I slowly see change in the industry but most of the time branding is still styled for the size zero blonde, young, fun, this is what your life is lacking, look. Times are changing as the next generation is growing up and I am starting to see more diversity and outreach to all demographics, but it is not happening fast enough.

SO: What brands have been in your life and stayed in your life over the last five years are?
TJ: Rahua, although how much more rainforest is there to save now. Target - a mass consumption store that I find every time I walk in has changed their business a little more to be more inclusive of everyone and aware of environmental issues. Ben & Jerry's - I love their product, but they are also funny as hell and not afraid to speak up.

SO: What about a brand that you used to trust/buy and don’t now?
TJ: Hobby Lobby, with women's reproductive rights and theft of religious artifacts. Walmart, for its corporate practices. Chick-fil-A, for its stance on the LGBTQ community.

SO: What is your relationship to Social Media?
TJ: As a business, it is a free platform so I am constantly on Facebook and Pinterest. I did just drop Instagram because I was tired of it malfunctioning. I use to have to spend a thousand dollars for a small ad to reach a few people. With social platforms where friends share and tag your business half your marketing is done for you.

SO: What is your relationship to money?
TJ: I do well, spend it too quickly and then run a sale to make up for my over shopping and speeding tickets.

SO: If you were a big brand and could use your power to make a difference, what would you concentrate on?
TJ: Mental health in youth. A few years ago at my daughter's high school one of the students brought a gun and killed the vice principal. To this day what keeps repeating in my mind about the incident is that we are a wealthy nation with so many resources, why did this kid feel like he couldn't turn to anyone for help?

SO: When you think about the future, what do you feel?
TJ: Positive. I feel even with the current political climate that it has catalyzed our youth and will create a better educated, more accepting and caring society with everything from the environment to men and women's "roles" in the family.

SO: Thanks you! Lastly, Is there anything you'd like to plug?
TJ: Of course! My website will have a new logo and look going up next week as we rebrand!